Mary Jean Carter

Sept 10, 2016 our sweet mother, Mary Jean Alcalla Carter, peacefully went home.
Born on a reservation, 92 years ago, she began her earthly journey. And what a journey it was…
She was lovingly raised by Foster parents, Antonio and Aurora Villanueva, in Houston, Texas.
Mother was Blessed with an incredible Mezzo Soprano voice. As a young woman, she passed up an opportunity to pursue a musical career in order to pursue her passion to become a nurse.
Her love for nursing and her heart for helping others was passed on to her family.
One day, while waiting for the bus, to go to work, a handsome young man on a motorcycle came roaring by. Whoa!! He stopped, backed up and proceeded to TRY to flirt with “the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on”. Flirtin didn’t work that day- so day after day, he came by and eventually one day, she decided to go out with him. Little did we know, when he came to get her, she was bringing along a few friends- “until I got to know him”
Thus began their love story. Sadly, Dad passed away after only 15 years of their love and fun filled life together. But, he always remained the love of her life.
Left with 4 young children to raise, Dad’s parents and brothers, helped her pack up and move to West Monroe to live and raise those 4 with lots of love and support from the entire Carter Clan.
Mom learned to drive, plant and harvest a garden, can vegetables, make jelly, sew, kill and pluck chickens (never her favorite thing to do), all things that a City girl had never done before. But, as with everything she did in life, she did it, with a smile on her face and always, always a song.
She loved all genres of music and from morning til night, there was always music playing or being sung in our home. Even at the end of her days, there was music being played.
Our home was always open to anyone and everyone, There was always plenty to eat and always room for one more, Many times through the years, even after we were grown, there would be a knock at the door and it would be one of our childhood friends stopping by. They always knew they were welcome.
Always known for her sweet pickles and jelly making, she was especially famous for her “guaranteed to make your head pop out in a sweat and your eyes water” hot sauce. We always loved to hear someone boast about how they could eat anything- then watch their reaction one they tried it.
Mom and that station wagon carried many a kid to a ball game, GA’s, band concerts, church, choir recitals, piano and voice lessons. She was always willing to give a ride to anyone.
She taught crafts to 4H kids, at Vacation Bible school- always with a smile and lots of patience. She was involved with the WMU ladies at church and the Home Demonstration Club. She also worked at our family business- Carter’s and, for a time, worked at GB Cooley as, what else- a care giver.
And no matter what was wrong in your life, a hard test, a sniffle, boy or girl problems- Mom could always cure it with a cup of hot tea.
Lovingly known as Mom, Momma, MaMaw, MaMaw Mary- and Queen Mother or Queen Bee- she was our heartbeat. She loved us through ups and downs, always with a smile, a hug, a kiss on the cheek, a soft touch of her hands on our face.
We are so Thankful for the wonderful honor of being the children of such a very special lady, and we Thank our Lord everyday for sharing her with us for such a long time.
We love you Mom and we are so glad to know you are now with Jesus and with daddy, the love of your life.
Those who are bound together by the ties of love are never separated.
Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 P.M., Tuesday, September 13, 2016 in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home, West Monroe, LA. Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. -7:00 P.M., Monday, September 12, 2016 at Mulhearn Funeral Home in West Monroe, LA., with Rev. Fred Foster and Rev. Jason Ramsey officiating. Interment will follow at Kilpatrick Serenity Gardens, in West Monroe, LA.
Survivors include her daughters, Pam Washington (David), Kathy Stevens and Linda Brooks (Ken); son, William Roy Carter Jr (Darlene); grandchildren, Chris Diel (Jennifer), Scott Diel (Angela), Barbara Brown (Mark), Mary Bruzeau (Henry), Ashley Washington, Anthony Washington, Benjamin Brooks (Meredith), Brandon Brooks; Great Grandchildren, Jakob, Daniel, and John Mark Brown, Kathryn, Sarah, Diane and Michael Diel, Isabella Brooks; Sisters in law’ Frances Carter, Ruth Carter and Sue Carter.
She is preceded in death by her husband William Roy Carter and son in law Matthew Stevens.
Pallbearers will be Chris and Scott Diel, Benjamin and Brandon Brooks, Anthony Washington, Mark, Jakob, and Daniel Brown, Henry Bruzeau and Pat Phillips. Honorary pall bearer will be Dr. Warren Daniel.
Special thank you to Dr. Warren Daniel, Rita Zuber, Dr. Tommy Causey, United Home Health and Hospice Compassus.
Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com